Thursday, October 13, 2005

Below: Councilman Lloyd Nugent holds the book that inspired the new prayer format.“It seemed like a good idea at the time,” says councilman.B&P News - Anderson

Anderson City Council is reconsidering its recent adjustment in prayer format, unveiled at Wednesday’s council meeting. The change from the traditional Christian prayer to a Mad Lib format was sparked by a recent decision by the U.S. 4th Circuit Court of Appeals and pressure from the ACLU.

“We decided to be more inclusive,” said councilman Lloyd Nugent. “It’s only fair to recognize that others have different beliefs, and we need to represent everyone here. Basically, I got the old prayer, took out some words, passed around a Mad Lib sheet beforehand and let people go nuts. It seemed like a good idea at the time.”

The first iteration of the new prayer was delivered by Mayor Festus M. Turnip. “Our Daddy, watching us from Disney World, creator of Mars and its majestic flamingos,” began the mayor, stifling a laugh. “We thank you for our daily Twinkies and for sending us George Bush to deliver us from chewing ice and hickeys, and to cast out the mountain goats from our lives.”

The mayor then snorted, handing the prayer to Nugent and exiting the meeting to regain his composure. “We had some wisecracks, I guess,” reported Nugent, who finished the prayer so the meeting could commence.

“Please bless us with his wonders, from rollerblading on sweet tea to the miracle of Halloween,” Nugent read. “Oh dear Lord. Keep us safe from Asian Bird Flu and thunderstorms. You are a black and well-dressed policeman. Amen.”

The council voted unanimously to reconsider the prayer format before the next meeting.